Networks and Communications Protocols

Overview

Lectures/Practicals:
1. Overview of OSI layers
2. Error detection and correction, Cyclic Redundancy Checking
3. Forward error control, Viterbi coding/decoding
4. Layer 2 principles: ARQ schemes (Idle RQ, Continuous RQ, link
utilisation)
5. Queuing theory principles (Latency, Throughout, round-trip time,
utilisation, single-server queues, multi-server-queues)
6. MAC Layer (TDMA, OFDMA,CDMA, ALOHA, Carrier Sense Multiple
Access)
7. TCP/IP (Congestion control)
8. Principles of physical layer. PHY aspects of cellular and mobile radio
systems (Frequency reuse, Interference)
9. High spectrally-efficient techniques for cellular systems (DSSS,
Frequency-Hopping)

Coursework - Design Exercise:
1. Fading phenomena in mobile communication systems using MATLAB
2. Calculation of link margin and path-loss for different frequencies and
environments
3. Emulation of fading effects in MATLAB

Learning Objectives

Have a strong grasp on the fundamental concepts of networks and communication protocols
Understand the concepts of error detection and control
Understand the principles of queuing theory and its applications on network protocols
Calculate the average throughout, latency and utilisation of single and multi-server queues
Describe the principles of the MAC layer and technologies associated with it
Describe the operation of TCP/IP protocols
Understand the fundamental concepts associated with the operation of mobile networks
Practical understanding of how mobile communication systems work
Determine the performance limits of mobile networks in MATLAB
Simulate fading distributions in MATLAB

Skills

Assimilation of error correction and control techniques, OSI layers, protocols of communications and networks, queuing theory
Ability to solve mathematical and conceptual questions individually
Ability to meet specific deadlines
Ability to simulate mobile systems in MATLAB
Presentation of technical engineering information clearly and concisely in written form

Assessment

Examination and Coursework.